It wasn't until we got closer to the day that I realised it was the day the clocks went forward, I think this fact affected my sleep last night worrying about would the alarm go off at the right time? As it happens it did of course and I was off to the station for the trip to London.
On arrival at Coulsdon South Station the displays showed the train was on time so all was looking good, however the display soon changed to Delayed and then Cancelled. there was overrunning engineering works affecting the line.
Rather than wait and see what happens I decided to drive and get a tube and arrived at Pall Mall as the start was beginning to fill so I dropped my bag and joined the queue. The route to the start took us past the start line to double back to the actual stat. I stopped to take a photo and I think I have caught Amanda Holden taking a selfie on the line.
As I was checking my phone I heard someone call my name from across the road, looking up to see Jenni Falconer waving at me, great to see her, she was running as part of the relay with Amanda Holden amongst others, although Jenni was also running the full distance.
The race started and soon it was my wave's turn to cross the line and break into a run, the route was fantastic and regular signs up to point out the various landmarks around including Gringots Bank from Harry Potter. Even though I spend quite a time in London, my office is only a few hundred yards from the start line, I wasn't aware of some of the landmarks listed.
I was settling into my run quite nicely and seemed to be ticking along quicker than I had planned, I thought this would come back to haunt me later in the run but I did feel strong throughout and did manage to keep going.
I had hoped to find a toilet for a last minute comfort break before the start but due to my less than perfect travel to the event I missed this vital piece of preparation so had to find one out on course, I reckon this cost me about 1.5 minutes waiting in line etc.
After my stop I was off again and running along quite happily, still waiting for my legs to give out due to my fast start but it never came and soon I was at mile 13 with just the last little section to go to the Finish outside Downing Street. I crossed the line in 1:50:26 if only I hadn't needed that stop! Still it is the fastest Half Marathon I have run so have to be happy with that.
In the finish area I managed to catch up with Jenni Falconer for a quick chat about how the race had gone and what time we had each managed, wandering down the finish area we were presented with our medals by a Chelsea Pensioner in full uniform. A really nice medal and such an honour to have it presented in this way.
All in all today was a brilliant day out, the event was amazing a great route and superbly organised, you really would not know that this was the first time this event had been run.
Thanks must go to all organisers, marshals and everyone else involved in putting the event on, also thanks to Jenni for the photo, although I know I never look good on photos.
Now I have 3 weeks before Brighton Marathon and then a week after that I am back in London for the Marathon, so please if you can visit virginmoneygiving.com/andrewfountain1 and help me raise my target to thank the Royal Alex Children's Hospital for all that they have done for my sons.
